Effects of low-dose continuous combined HRT on vascular function in women with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background Improvement in vascular endothelial function is widely cited as a beneficial effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at increased cardiovascular risk and have impaired endothelial function. Any benefits of HRT on endothelial function in this group are of particular interest. Objectives We assessed effects on vascular function of oral 17β oestradiol (1 mg) and norethisterone (0.5 mg) in postmenopausal women with T2DM. Design Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Assessments Twenty-eight women had pulse wave velocity (PWV) and adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 assessed before and after three months' treatment. Twenty-four women also had gluteal fat biopsy for assessment of resistance vessel function (using wire myography). Results HRT did not affect PWV, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 or carbachol response. Effects of L-NAME and indomethacin on carbachol sensitivity were similar in both groups. Conclusions This HRT preparation had no detectable effect on these measures of endothelial function in women with T2DM.